The News Aesthetic: The Station- A Great Place to Stop

There is no question of the abundance of coffee shops in Seattle. Famous for their cappuccinos and nonfat extra foam lattes, coffee shops in Seattle take great pride in the art of espresso. Hidden somewhere between the light rail station and the local homes on Beacon Hill, The Station is a truly delightful little coffee house that offers a unique and cozy experience.

The little coffee shop is located just across the street from the Beacon Hill Light Rail Station, so the sound of coffee bean grinders and chatter attract travelers and locals alike. The Station has two main characteristics that locals love: the homey atmosphere and the delicious coffee.

A block away from the shop there is a sign pointing to The Station to remind passerby's to grab their daily dose of caffeine. Approaching the cafe, the outside looks almost shabby, with plastic chairs stacked against the wall and the storefront painted a plain brown. But the inside could not be more different.

The inside of The Station, taken from opening day, photo from Flickr

The Station is very small, with only a few tables lining the wall and a bar with stools lining the window. Above the tables are dozens of small photographs depicting the events of the Baltimore riots by a local photographer. The shop is almost completely full, with only one small and wobbly table unoccupied. Strong neighborhood roots are apparent in the shop, a few campaign signs for past local county council candidates are lining the window. Bold stickers are plastered on the counters and coffee makers, the personality of the shop glowing through each cleverly worded label. Although the shop is a bit noisy because of the small space, it actually seemed to add to the quirky character of the place. They also have pastries in case you need a snack before hopping on the light rail.

A surprising aspect of the coffee shop are the latin undertones, including the shop's claim to fame: the mocha Mexicano. Another surprise? The coffee shop also serves wine and beer. Yet another aspect to the unique shop that makes it so cool and a great place to stop if you're on the hill.

The final selling point? The coffee is delicious. I ordered a chai, and it is one of the best I've ever had. Other reviews claim the espresso is worth at least 4 stars.

All in all, the service is wonderful, the atmosphere is perfect, and the coffee is delicious. I would highly recommend this unique Seattle coffee shop.

The Station is located at 2533 16th Avenue S.